Chapter 455: Cheng Qiu Offers a Plan, The Upright Official Chen Yi!【3】

"Think about it, sir. Now Duan Yu wants to start a war. Once the war begins, the people will suffer, and Liangzhou will be devastated. As the governor of the province, how can you stay out of it?"

"If Duan Yu wins, you will have no merit and no fault, and he will certainly not share the credit with you. Do you agree, sir?" Cheng Qiu looked at Liang Hu and asked.

Liang Hu nodded silently.

It was precisely because of this that he didn't want Duan Yu to start a war.

If Duan Yu won, there would be no benefit for him.

Duan Yu wouldn't share a bit of the credit with him.

But if Duan Yu lost, he would be held responsible.

As the Inspector of a province, if Liangzhou were to fall into chaos because of this, he would inevitably be sent to Luoyang in a prisoner's cart and stripped of his office and title.

Although he hadn't achieved anything in Liangzhou these past few years, he hadn't done anything wrong either. As long as he passed his term safely, he could be appointed as the prefect of a large commandery in the Central Plains next time.

By then, he wouldn't have to worry about expensive paper or a lack of snow salt.

But Duan Yu starting a war now was equivalent to putting him on a fire to roast.

"Sir, I have a plan that can ensure Duan Yu cannot easily start a war, and also ensure your term remains stable." Cheng Qiu said.

Hearing this, Liang Hu's eyes lit up: "Speak quickly!"

Cheng Qiu pondered for a moment and said: "Sir, the Shaodang Qiang old king and the Qiang tribes in Jincheng Commandery are migrating and gathering."

"They must be worried about Duan Yu starting a war."

"If at this time, you can appease the people, calm the internal chaos of the Qiang tribes, and then appease the Qiang tribes, and then report to the Ministry and the Imperial Court that the Qiang tribes have submitted and Liangzhou is peaceful, then Duan Yu will naturally be unable to easily start a war."

"In this way, you will have blocked the mouths of everyone in the court and salvaged the current situation. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"You can also use this as a merit to win back a round from Duan Yu."

Liang Hu listened, his eyes thoughtful.

It sounded like a pretty good idea.

"It's just... empty words, how would the court believe the Qiang tribes have submitted?"

"And how should I appease the Qiang tribes?"

Cheng Qiu smiled: "Sir, I have already thought of a foolproof plan for you."

"Tell me in detail." Liang Hu turned to look at the maid standing to the side: "Go, serve tea to Administrator Cheng."

"Come, Administrator Cheng, sit down and tell me slowly."

Cheng Qiu smiled and nodded, then came to the seat below Liang Hu and knelt down: "Sir, it is currently the autumn harvest season."

"The Qiang tribes must also be preparing for the autumn harvest."

"Duan Yu wants to send troops to conquer the Qiang tribes. You can take this opportunity, using the wind of Duan Yu's desire to conquer the Qiang, to inform the Qiang tribes."

"If they want to avoid war, they must pay more taxes."

"Collect more of the autumn grain."

"You can explain to the Qiang tribes that as long as they pay more taxes, they can naturally avoid the flames of war."

"You can present the collected grain to the Imperial Court and say that the Qiang tribes have submitted, thereby avoiding war."

"Moreover, you have submitted sufficient taxes, which will naturally block the mouths of everyone in the court. Even if someone speaks for Duan Yu, they will have no excuse."

"In this way, isn't it the best of both worlds?"

Eh?

Liang Hu reached out and stroked his chin.

It sounded... like it made some sense.

"I understand a little of what you mean, Administrator Cheng."

"You intend for me to use Duan Yu to coerce the Qiang tribes into paying more taxes. If the Qiang tribes pay more taxes, they can avoid war, and I can report to the Imperial Court that the Qiang tribes have submitted, avoiding the need to start a war, thus avoiding the suffering of the people."

"Is that what you mean?"

Cheng Qiu nodded repeatedly and flattered him: "You are insightful, sir."

Liang Hu nodded and said: "It is feasible."

"However..."

"However, those Qiang barbarians, I have never had any contact with them. How can I talk about this?" Liang Hu asked.

"Hehe." Cheng Qiu smiled: "Why would you need to go yourself for such a matter?"

"Just send someone."

"The Jincheng Prefect, Chen Yi, has had contact with the Shaodang Qiang and other tribes. Just send Chen Yi."

Chen Yi.

Liang Hu pondered after hearing this.

That would work.

He wouldn't have to go back and forth himself, and the credit would all be his. This matter was feasible.

"But you and Prefect Chen should explain the greater righteousness to them."

"Prefect Chen is upright and loves the people like his own children. If you tell him it is to avoid war and save the people from suffering, I believe Prefect Chen will naturally agree."

"Hmm." Liang Hu nodded: "It is settled. I will pack up now. Administrator Cheng, you can come with me to Prefect Chen's house."

East of Yunwu City, inside the Jincheng Prefect's Mansion.

It was noon, and Chen Yi was eating in the main hall of his home.

Chen Yi, who had just turned thirty-five, looked mature, his thin face carrying a composure that belied his actual age.

The wind and frost of Liangzhou had left indelible marks of time on this prefect's face.

An official robe, washed until it was slightly faded, was worn on his thin frame.

The food on the desk in front of him was also extremely simple.

A bowl of wheat rice, two dishes of green vegetables, and the only meat dish looked like leftovers.

The furnishings in the room were also extremely simple.

Even the red lacquer on the pillars had peeled off in many places.

Beside the rice bowl lay several bamboo scrolls.

While eating, Chen Yi didn't forget to browse the content on the bamboo scrolls, sometimes falling into deep thought, forgetting to chew the food in his mouth.

"Master, the Inspector, Lord Liang, is here."

An old servant came to the door of the main hall and bowed.

Chen Yi looked up, then quickly stood up: "Quickly invite him in. Oh, clear away the food."

The old servant looked at the food he had only eaten a few bites of: "Master, you haven't finished your meal."

"It doesn't matter, take it away. Put it in the kitchen, I'll eat it later."

After speaking, Chen Yi walked toward the outside of the main hall.

In front of the mansion gate, Chen Yi straightened his official robe, which he hadn't changed in two years, and bowed respectfully to Liang Hu, who was stepping down from the carriage.

"Lord Liang."

Liang Hu said with a smile: "Prefect Chen is still as frugal as he was two years ago. This official robe... seems to have been around for a while."

Chen Yi didn't feel embarrassed. After rising, he replied very seriously: "Liangzhou is bitter and cold."

"As the head of a commandery, if I cannot make the people prosperous and stable, how can I dare to enjoy myself?"

"Chen Yi has no other way, only using this method to remind myself not to forget the mission brought by this official robe and seal."

Liang Hu nodded while smiling: "Since Prefect Chen mentioned making the people prosperous and stable, I have come today precisely for the people of Liangzhou."

"Let's go, let's go inside and talk."

After Liang Hu finished speaking, Chen Yi led Liang Hu into the mansion. ===== CHAPTER 457 =====